Electric flat-rate controller.



F. KRAEMER. ELECTRIC FLAT RATE CONTROLLER.

APPLIOAT'ION :FILED MAR-14, 1907. RBNEWBD AUG. s, 191s. 1, 1 00,83%Patented June 23, 1914.

' 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

.- llllllllll I'. KRABMBR.

ELECTRIC FLAT RATE CONTROLLER.

I APPLICATION FILED MAR.14, 1907. RENEWED AUG. 8, 1913. 1, 1 00,832.Patented June 2s, 191

2 SHEETS-SEEET 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.;

FRANK KRAEMER, OF CHICAGO, IlLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO

l MAX HARRIS, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA.

ELECTRIC FLAT-RATE CONTROLLER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 23, 1914.

Application filed March 14, 1907, Serial No. 362,398. Renewed August 8,1913. l Serial No. 783,839.

To IZ 107mm, t may concern Be it known that I, FRANK KRAEMER, a citizenof the United States, and a resident of Chicago, in the county of Cookand State of illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Electric Flat-Rate l Controllers, of which the following is a full,

` which the lamps, motors or translating devices oi a plant, building orapartment are located, whenever it is attempted to add fraudulently7 orillicitly tothe authorized number; such persistent intermittence of thecurrentsupply being continued until the illicit userthereot isabandoned," either by the cutting out or absolute removal of the extracurrent consumer.- To this end, the current supplying the derived orwork cir cuit is passed through a series magnet, which when the currentis rendered excessive by the demands of the 'additional load imposed byextra and illegitimate consumingl devices, overcomes a mechanicalresist-v ance and closes a switch that energizes another magnet thatcuts oit the supply ot' current to the lights, etc., from the leads ormains, all as will be fully explained in the specification, and thenovel elements and combinations of elements employed thereinparticularly pointed out in the claims.

To illustrate my invention, I annex heretor two sheets of dra-wings, inwhich the same reference characters are used to designateidentical partsin all the iigures, of Which,-

Figurc'l is a front elevation'of the appa# ratus embodying my invention;Fig. 2 is va sideelevation of the same; Fig. 3 .is a verti- .Cal sectionon the line A-A of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a top plan view showing theadjusting mechanism for regulating the number of power-:consuming unitsto be controlled; and Fig. 5 isa diagrammatic view showing the currentsin the apparatus under normal conditions in full lines,and underabnormal .conditions in dotted. lines.

nection. 11 in any customary manner. From n this post, the current is`preferably passed by the wire 12 to the clips 13 and 14 adapted toreceive the fuse 15. vFrom the upper clip 14, the current passes throughthe wire 16 into the coils 17 oftheseries magnet 18, l

which is attached to the base by ears 19 secured to the top disk 20 ofthe spool, and by `ears 2l secured to the bottom 'disk 22 of the spool,the tWo disks being connected by the tube 23, which serves as a guide orchannel for the cores ot the ampere magnet 18 and the circuit-breakingmagnet 24; both of these magnets preferably taking the form of solenoidsmounted in axial alinement With each other, and, as seen, arranged upona single spool, the t-Wo magnets bein separated by 'the disk 25. Thedisks 26, 27, 28 and 29 are, of course, of insulating material.

From the coils 17 of the. ampere magnet, the

current passes by the wire 30 to the binding post 31, through the lowerportion of the conductor strip 32to the Abinding post 83, and the-nce bythe wire 34 to the bracketshaped contact and binding post 85. From hereit passes by the metallic switch bar 36` to the similar passes by theWire 38 to one side of the'Wrk circuit indicated in Fig. 5 by the lamps39, and thence it returns by the Wire 40 to the binding post 41, whence..it passesI by the wire 42 to the binding post- 43, whence it passes bythe wire dat back to the other side of theggenerator or mains. .`When,.however, the number of lam s or other translating devices in the Workcircuit is increased above the allowed number, so that the:., demandsthereof increase the current necessary, all of which must pass throughthe ampere magnet, the pull of themagnet. on its core inding post 37,'Whence itl the switch lever 47L by the link 48 of insulatin materiaD" is.1 suiiicient, to overcome.`

hold the core in the elevated position shown in full lines.

For the purposes of accurate adjustment, as is necessary for-allowablevariations in the number of lamps or other units to be employed, meansare provided for carefully adjusting the tension of the spring, and, forthis purpose, the forward end of the spring is secured to the lugprojecting downwardly from the bottom of the adjustable bar 5l, which isslotted. at 52, so that by cooperating with the pin 53 projecting up-'ber of lamps or translating units to another.

Another adjustment employed at the time the apparatus is assembled inthe shop, consists of the set screw 55, which is threaded throughthesupporting ear 5G extending l from the standard 57, in which thelever47 is pivoted, as at 5S. After the screw has been adjusted tosecure the desired tension, the lock nuts 5S) are tightened up to secureit rigidly. It will he apparent that as the screw is lowered from theposition shown, the tension of the spring 49 is increased. 7 hen thesolenoid Acore 45 is pulled down against the resistance ot' the spring49, the contact end of the lever 47 engages the contact piece or bracket(i0, which projects from the base, and is 'electrically connected withthe upper end of the strip 32. The current now passes from.` the strip32 through the contact (50, through the lever 47, thence through theconducting strip G1 electrically connected with the supporting bracket57 of the lever 47, to the binding screw (52, thence to the coils 63 o'fthe switch-breaking magnet, through said coils and through the wire 64`tori'ning a continuation thereof,'to

the binding screw 65, thence through the strip (3G to the binding screw67, thence through the wire 68 to the binding post 41,

thence through therwire 42 to the binding post 43, and thence by thewire 44 to the generator or other side of the main, thus completing thecircuit in shunt with the work circuit, through the circuit-breakingmagnet. This, of course, energizes the solenoid circuit-breakingswitch-magnet 24, and draws up the core (if) of said magnet, and alsodraws down thc auxiliary core 70, which is adjustably supported from thecore 45 of the ampere magnet by the rod 7l connected thereto andthreaded into the core 45. The object of this supplemrmtal core 70 is tocompletely and more firmly operate the switch lever 47, which isprovided at its outer end with the preliminary contact member 72, whichconsists of a strip of thin brass of the shape shown, whichstripcontacts with the rounded edge of the contact member as soon as thecore 45' is drawn do'wn. When the magnet 24 is energized, the additionalpull of the core serves to bend the curved portion of the contact member72 outward enough so that the lever 47 can be drawn all the way down sothat the body of the lever rests directly onthe top of the contact GO,so that the circuit is closed directly through the lever without theintermediate contact member 72. One object of this construction is toinsure a clean contact between the lever 47 and the Contact bracket 60.When the circuit is opened or closed at this point, any sparking thatoccurs must necessarily occur between the spring contact vmember r72 andthat portion of the contact bracket .6() with which it engages. Now whenthe lever 47 is drawn the rest,0f the way down, so that the body of thelever contacts directly with the bracket G0, the spring member 72 wipesover the ortion of the bracket 60 on which the sparking occurs, andautomatically cleans both contacts from the effect of such sparking. Ofcourse, no sparking occurs between the main body of the lever 47 and thecontact 60.

The lower end of the core 69 carries the switch bar 3G, and this switchbar 3G is provided on each end with the spring contact members 73, whichcorrespond in shape to and cooperate with the contact brackets 35 and 37in just the same manner and for the same purpose as the contact 72cooperates with the contact bracket 60. .Vhen the switch bar 36 israised by the rising of the core 69, of course, the circuit throu'h thelamps or work circuit is broken, and t e entire circuit through the aparatus is as indicated diagrammatically iiy the dotted lilies in Fig.5. The upward movement of the core G9 is resisted and thetime of saidmovement lengthened by reasonof the piston 74 carried by the stem 7 5,which stem is supported and moved by the core 69, with which it isadjustably connected having the reduced portion G threaded into anaperture in the lower portion of the core. The piston 74 is prefer: blymade up of a rubber disk 77 secured between washers 78 and 7 9, and anapertu 80 opening into the dashpot 81 at the bot .om thereof serves toretard the speed of the ascent of the pist-on. If it is desired toregulate the speed of the ascent, this can be effected by means of theset-screw valve 82 threaded into a lug on the dashpot barrel so topartly close the aperture 80. The dashpot is supported from the base 9by the bracket 83 secured to said base.

Substantially at the end of the upward movement .of the core C9, itsupper end strikes the lower end of the supplemental core 70, asindicated in the dotted-line position of said cores in Fig. 3, andpositively preferably by.,

A ffl lpresent consider best adapted to carry out its 2 apparatus, thecircuit through the main khrahch being broken by reason of the bar beingraised, and the circuit through the shunt branch being broken by reasonof the ing, gravity comes into play and causes the reclusi descent ofthe core e9 and the assotoets. T3 strilre the contact vbr clrets 35necessary to maire the desired quick contact of the switch bar 86witlrthe brackets 35 and 37 to prevent sparking.

9i of liber or other insulating material, ill,

` and 2.

'eiiicient construction by which the amount secure byy Letters Patent of'theflilnited States, is,-

lifts suidcore against the pull ci the magnet Qlshso as topositivelyraise the switch lever e? yeruit break the circuit at that pointu Thecircuit is new broken throughout the entire lever heing raised. Thiscondition existciated switch bar 36 and piston 79, the descent being;slowed up by the resistance oiiered by the deshpot until the springrcouand B7, this time, the dish: 77. of the piston reeches the enlargedlower portion formed by 'the annular offset Se, so that the piston andits connected parte can descend for the rest'ot the movement, es is isdesirable to have guiding` means to prevent the rotation of said switchbar, and, for this purpose, I provide vertical strips which are securedto the front ci the brach ets and 37, as clearly shown in Figs. 1

'lfroni the foregoing; descriptionit will be apparent that so long as anoverload continues, the work circuit will be opened and close atintervals, producingA an annoyance to the consumer that will. cause himremedy the diiliculty at once by turning oil tue entre light or othertranslating unit which. has been added.

llt will also be apparent 'to those skilled in the art, that l haveproduced a simple and .of current used can be very'. accuratelyregulated, and which in practice has been found to be extremelyeflicicnt and free from liability to get out of order or necessitaterepairs.

While have shown my novel switch mechanism arrane'ed speciiically foruse es a flat rate controller, it will be understood that it is capableof other uses, and that Where the claims are not limited to a flat ratecontroller, intend to cover the switch applied to any use desired.

'While l have shown and described my insoutien as embodied in the formwhich l at purposes, it Will be understood it is el le et modilications,und l do not be li sited the interpretation ci oiving'cleinisexccpt esmay be neby thee* of the prior art.

That lwhich lv claire-es new, and desire to i. lgs ietrstef-nontrcller,thecombua- Work circuit only, and means operated by said second magnetto open said switch and permit the automatic restoration of the currentthrough the work circuit, said means comprising amember interposedbetween, and carriedby one of the armatures of said magnets so thatthrough said member the armature of the second magnet operates by itsmovement to move the armature of the series magnet to positively openthe switch closed by the attraction of said armature.

2. ln a dat rate controller, the combination of e series solenoidmagnet, a, main leading thereto, a work circuit fed through the seriesmagnet, an outgoing main leading from the second side of the Workcircuit, a switch connected With-the core of the series magnet and,closed by an abnormal load or current through said magnet, a second s0lenoid magnet in alinemcnt with the series magnet connected up by theclosing of the Switch to cut out the work circuit only, and asupplementary core 'for the second magnet carried by and forming' aphysical extension oi. the core of the serios magnet, the main core ofthe second solenoid being adapted to engage its supplementary core andthereby open said switch positively and permit the automatic restorationof current through the Work circuit.

3. ln a flat rato controller, the combination of the series solenoidmagnet, a main leading thereto, a Work circuit fed through the seriesmagnet, an outgoing main leading from the second side of the workcircuit, a' switch connected with thc corev of the series magnet andclosed by the abnormal load or current through said magnet, a secondsolenoid magnet in ulinement with the series magnet connectedup theclosing of the switch to cut out the work circuit only, a supplementarycore for the second magnet carried by and forming a'physical extensionlof the core of the series magnet, and mechanisni for adjusting theposition of the sup plementary core of the second magnet, the main coreof the second solenoid being adapted to engage its supplementary core toopen said switch positively and permit the automatic restoration ofcurrent through the worlr circuit.

4. 'in a `dat rate controller, the combination of' a series solenoidmagnet, a main leading thereto, a 'Work circuit fed through seriesmagnet, an outgoing main leading ,from the second side of the Workcircuit, a switch connected with the core of the series magnet andclosed by an abnormal load or current through said magnet, a secondsolenoid magnet in alinement with the series magnet connected u by theclosing of the Vswitch to cut out t e work circuit, and a supplementarycore for the second magnet carried by and forming a physical extensionof the core of the series magnet, said switch having a preliminaryclosure effected by the series magnet, the filial closure being effectedby the action of the second magnet on the supplementary core, the maincore of the second magnet being adapted to engage its supplementary coreto open said switch positively.

`5. In a fiat rate controller, the combination of a series solenoidmagnet, a main leadn ing thereto, a Work circuit fed through the seriesmagnet, an outgoing main leading from the second side of the workcircuit, a switch connected with the core of the series magnet andclosed by an abnormal load or current through said magnet, a secondsolenoid magnet in alinenient with the series magnet connected up by theclosing of the switch to cut out the work circuit, anda suplibplementary core for the second magnet carried by aud forming a physicalextension of the core of the series magnet, said switch having ayielding spring contact which lcngages the opposed contact under theaction of the series magnet and which yields under the action of thesecond magnet on the supplementary core to permit the switch proper toengage the contact, and the main core of the second solenoid magnet.being adapted to engage its supplemei/itary core to open said switch.

6. In a flat rate controller, the combination of a series solenoidmagnet, a main leading thereto, a work circuit fed through the series 1(met, an outgoing main leading from the seaond side'of the work circuit,a switch connected with the core of' the series magnetand closed by anabnormal loa'd or current through said magnet, a second solenoid magnetin alinement with the series magnet connected up by closing the switchto cut out the work circuit, and a supplementary corefor the secondmagnet carried by and forming a physical extension of the core of thesci-ics magnet, said switch having a yielding spring contact having anengag# ing curled end which engages the opposed contact under flicaction of the. series magnet and which yields under the action of thesecond magnet of the supplementary core to permit the switch pro )er toengage the contact, and the core o the second solenoid magnet beingadapted to engage its supplementary core to open said switch.

7. rIn an automatic electric switch, the combination of a solenoidmagnet, a main connected thereto, a work circuit connected to the main,an outgoing main leading from the second side of the work circuit, aswitch connected with the core of the solenoid magnet and closedthereby, a second solenoid magnet in alinement with the first ina tconnected up by the closing of the switc to affect the work circuit, anda. supplementa core for the second magnet carried by an forming aphysical'extension of the core of the first magnet, the main core of thesecond solenoid magnet being ada ted to engage its supplementary coreand t ereby open said switch positively.

8. In an automatic electric switch, the combination of a. solenoidmagnet, a main connected thereto, a work circuit connected to the main,an out oing main leading from the second side of t e work circuit, aswitch connected with the core of the solenoid magnet and closedthereby, a second solenoid magnet in alineiiieiit with the firstsolenoid magnet connected up by the closing of the switch to affect thework circuit, a supplementary core for the second magnet carried by andfoi-ming a physical extension of the coreof the first magnet, andmechanism for adjustin the position of. the supplementary core of tiesecond magnet, the main core of the second solenoid being adapted toengage its supplementary core to open said switch positively.

9. In an automatic electric switch, the oombination of a Solenoidmagnet, a main conliu nected thereto, a work circuit connected to themain, an outgoing main leading from the second side of the work circuit,a switch connected with cthe core of the magnet and closed thereby, asecond solenoid magnet in alinement with the first magnet connected upby the closing of the switch to affect the work circuit, and asupplementary core for the second ,magnet carried by and forming aphysical extension of the core of the first magnet, said switch having apreliminary closure effected by the first magnet, the final closurebeing effected by the action of the second magnet on the supplementarycore, the main core of the second magnet being adapted to engage itssupplementary core to open said switch positively.

10. In an automatic electric switch, the combination of a solenoidmagnet, a main connected thereto, a work circuit connected to the main,an outgoing main leading from thc lsecond side of the work circuit, aswitch connected with the core of the solenoid magnet and closedthereby, a second solenoid Amagnet in alinement with the first magnetconnected up by the closing of the switch to atl'ect the work circuit,and-a supplementary core. for the second magnet carried by and forming aphysical extension of the core of the first magnet, said switch having ayielding spring contact which engages the op.

posed contact under the action of the first magnet and which yieldsunder the action izo.

o the second magnet on the supplementary y core to permit the switchproper to engage the contact, and the second core of the secondYVvsecond side of the/"work circuit, a switch closed by said magnet, asecond magnet connected up by the closing of the switch to affect thework circuit, and means operated by said magnet to open said'switchpositively and mechanically and permit the automatic i hrestoration ofthe current through the work ,ci'rcnit.

l "12. In' an automatic electric switch, the

combinatlon of a solenold magnet, a mam connected thereto, a Workcircuit connected vto the main, an outgoing main leading from the secondside of the work circuit, a switch connected with the core of saidmagnet and closed by the movement thereof, a second solenoid magnet in`alinement with the iirst magnet connected .up by the closing of theswitch, a shunt circuit including said switch and second magnet, asecond switch operated by the second magnet to open the work circuit,the core of the second solenoid being adapted to engage the core of thelirst solenoid to open said first switch positively and permit therestoration ofthe current through the work circuit.

13. In an automatic electric switch, the combination of a solenoidmagnet, a main connected thereto, a work circuit connected to the main,an outgoing main leading from the second side of the work circuit, aswitch connected with the core of the solenoid and closed by themovement thereof, ra second solenoid magnet in alincment with theiirstsolenoid magnet connected up by the closing of the switch, a 'shuntcircuit including said switch and second magnet, and a second switchoperated by the second magnet to open the work circuit, the core of thesecond solenoid magnet being adapted to engage the core of the firstsolenoid magnet to open said first switch positively and permit therestoration of the current through the work circuit, a dashpot inalinement with the cores of the magnets, and a piston for said dashlpotcarried by the fore of the second solecombination of a solenoid magnet,a main connected thereto, a work circuit connected to the main, anoutgoing main leading from the second side of the work circuit, a switchclosed by said solenoid magnet, and a second solenoid' magnet with itscore in axial alinement with the first solenoid magnet so that when thecore of the second magnet is moved it will at the end of. its movementengage the core of the first magnet to open the switch.

15. In an automatic electric switch, the combination with a solenoidmagnet, of a main connected thereto, a work circuit connected vto themain, an outgoing main leading from the second side of the Work circuit,a. switch closed by the action of said magnet, a second solenoid magnetwith its core in axial alinement with the core of the first magnet, amember adjustably threaded into one of said cores so that the time ofthe striking of the core of the first magnet by the core of the secondmagnet to open the first switch can be regulated, and mechanism forregulating the rate of separation of said cores when the circuit isbroken through both of said magnets.

1G. In an automatic electric switch, the

magnet in a shunt circuit closed by the g switch, and a second switchconnected tothe. armature ol the second magnetserving to' open and closethe work circuit, said arma-.y

tures being so relatively located .that they armature ot'the firstmagnet is engaged by the armature of the second lnagnet to open thelirst switch ositively.

In witness w iercof, I

of March, A. D. 1907.

FRANK KRAEMER. [It 8.]l

lVitnesses:

JOHN H. McELnoY, M. S. REEDER.

have hereunto set my hand and alixed my sea-l, -this`12th day 100

